The Savakis Merger by Annie West

Author:Annie West
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: HP 2011-11 Nov
ISBN: 9780373528387
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-11-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘YOU have a beautiful home.’ Callie gazed across the broad curve of the horizon pool to the indigo sea and the darker bulk of the mainland beyond. The peace of the tiny island enveloped her. After the shock of her emotional meltdown yesterday this was balm to her soul.

If only she could be alone to enjoy it.

Her skin prickled and she knew he watched her. Reluctantly she turned.

He sat just a metre away.

His eyes snared hers and remarkably she felt again the illusion of connection with him she’d experienced the first time.

‘I’m glad you approve. I didn’t think it would be to your taste.’

His gesture encompassed the mansion behind them. Not a modern construction as she’d expected but a lovingly restored home with a history of its own. It had elegant long windows, full-length shutters, a pantiled roof and delicately poised balconies. Inside, as on his yacht, Damon had blended grace with modern convenience.

Callie’s gaze followed the line of the house to an unfinished building in a similar style, connected by a glazed walkway that surprisingly worked, rather than detracted from the original villa.

Damon was expanding, using the centuries-old house above its private bay as his centrepiece.

Callie liked his approach.

‘Just like you assumed I wouldn’t like the Circe?’

‘My mistake.’

Callie blinked. In years of marriage she’d never once heard Alkis admit to an error. Even to something so trivial. She grimaced and swallowed some wine. It slid like nectar down her throat. Only the best in Damon’s home.

‘My uncle’s taste isn’t mine.’ He probably thought she’d inherited Aristides’ love of over-the-top decoration.

Just as he’d assumed she was conniving and unscrupulous like her uncle.

‘So I’m discovering.’ Damon’s gaze slid over her, taking in her simple, stylish dress in cream and bronze. The colours suited her but there was no cleavage on display.

She lifted her chin. ‘Disappointed?’

‘Intrigued.’ The banked heat in his gaze revealed a familiar hunger. And something more: curiosity.

No wonder. He’d got more than he bargained for when he took her aboard his yacht. She cringed at the memory of that episode. He’d seen her at her most vulnerable. Yet to her amazement he hadn’t taken advantage of that.

Callie had woken from a dreamless sleep this morning to find Damon had sailed overnight to the mainland and organised a helicopter flight to his island.

He’d saved her the distress of staying on his yacht. When she’d tried to thank him he’d brushed aside her gratitude as if he’d done nothing at all!

More, he’d rejected her fumbling attempt to initiate intimacy. Instead he’d simply held her till she slept. The memory of his steady heartbeat soothing her, his strong arms protecting her, his scratchy chin moving against her hair as he spoke, created a tiny unfurling bud of warmth deep inside her.

There’d been no chastisement for her weakness, no rant about the inconvenience she’d caused. Instead she recalled his brusque tenderness as he’d rocked her to sleep. Damon had been patient and practical, as if dealing with a mistress’s phobia were commonplace.

She couldn’t fathom him, morphing from cold-blooded manipulator to carer in the blink of an eye.

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